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VHB stations that didn't make it.
- carnaby
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13 Mar 2010 20:22 #1
by carnaby
Plan A is always more effective when the problem you are working on understands that Plan B will involve the use of dynamite
VHB stations that didn't make it. was created by carnaby
There was a comment in the Metheringham thread which related to its possible extension to 3,000 yard main and 2,000 yard subsidiaries. AIR10/4039 generally quotes the possible extensibility of many airfields around December 1944.
AIR2/8526 (Airfield Runway Requirements, 1944-50) lists a number of sites which were to be upgraded to VHB status to accommodate the forthcoming Vickers Windsor. These were:
Of course some of these airfields went part way to VHB.
Graham
AIR2/8526 (Airfield Runway Requirements, 1944-50) lists a number of sites which were to be upgraded to VHB status to accommodate the forthcoming Vickers Windsor. These were:
VHB - Andrewsfield, East Wretham, and Matching.
Coastal Upgrades to VHB status - Beaulieu, Kinloss, Leuchars, Lossiemouth, Milltown, Predannack, St Mawgan and Tain.
The runways would also be widened to 100 yards from the existing 50, which led to a remark from the prime minister re '...the Air Ministry's attempts to cover the UK in concrete'.Coastal Upgrades to VHB status - Beaulieu, Kinloss, Leuchars, Lossiemouth, Milltown, Predannack, St Mawgan and Tain.
Of course some of these airfields went part way to VHB.
Graham
Plan A is always more effective when the problem you are working on understands that Plan B will involve the use of dynamite
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- Paul Francis
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13 Mar 2010 20:47 #2
by Paul Francis
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
Replied by Paul Francis on topic VHB stations that didn't make it.
St Mawgan was already a VHT! You forgot Alconbury!
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
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- Denis
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13 Mar 2010 20:52 #3
by Denis
Replied by Denis on topic VHB stations that didn't make it.
Matching, Essex being upgraded to a VHB has been a source of interest to me. A hypothetical point being that if it had been upgraded, would Stansted have continued to be chosen as Londons third airport?
I have read somewhere that there was local opposition to plans to upgrade the airfield. I find this a little unbelievable, as joe publics voice counted for little at that time I should imagine. With the Emergency Powers Act being able to dictate what went where, without the need for Public Enquiries, the Air ministry could do pretty much whatever they wanted.
I have read somewhere that there was local opposition to plans to upgrade the airfield. I find this a little unbelievable, as joe publics voice counted for little at that time I should imagine. With the Emergency Powers Act being able to dictate what went where, without the need for Public Enquiries, the Air ministry could do pretty much whatever they wanted.
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13 Mar 2010 22:18 #4
by Paul Francis
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
Replied by Paul Francis on topic VHB stations that didn't make it.
Unbelieveable yes, the public would have known zilch about it. I dont think any of Carnaby's list were serious contenders. Alconbury on the other hand certainly was as we have the plans for it in the archives.
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
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- carnaby
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13 Mar 2010 22:58 #5
by carnaby
I guess that makes it part VHT, since Heathrow had the full works.
Just noted Boscombe had a 3,000x100 by the end of WWII.
Graham
Plan A is always more effective when the problem you are working on understands that Plan B will involve the use of dynamite
Replied by carnaby on topic VHB stations that didn't make it.
It had a 3,000x100 main, but the other two were only 2,000x50, and 1,400x50.St Mawgan was already a VHT!
I guess that makes it part VHT, since Heathrow had the full works.
Just noted Boscombe had a 3,000x100 by the end of WWII.
Graham
Plan A is always more effective when the problem you are working on understands that Plan B will involve the use of dynamite
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- Peter Kirk
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13 Mar 2010 23:23 #6
by Peter Kirk
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
Replied by Peter Kirk on topic VHB stations that didn't make it.
One of the frustrating things when leafing through TNA RAF related documents is tantilisation (is that a word?).
I found numerous memos that mentioned attached plans and no sign can be found in the file of the said plan. AIR 2/10924 (Holbeach Ranges) had one that mentioned the plans for the new VHB tower for the C.F.E. at West Raynham in 1946, I did look but no sign!
Mind you another file had plans for an RAF Hospital Building that was not mentioned or relevant to the file. No, don't ask me which one as I forgot to note it down!
I mentioned West Raynham as it had the VHB tower but not the runways.
I found numerous memos that mentioned attached plans and no sign can be found in the file of the said plan. AIR 2/10924 (Holbeach Ranges) had one that mentioned the plans for the new VHB tower for the C.F.E. at West Raynham in 1946, I did look but no sign!
Mind you another file had plans for an RAF Hospital Building that was not mentioned or relevant to the file. No, don't ask me which one as I forgot to note it down!
I mentioned West Raynham as it had the VHB tower but not the runways.
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
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14 Mar 2010 11:03 #7
by REF
Replied by REF on topic VHB stations that didn't make it.
how would a VHB station at East Wretham have worked then, I'd love to see the proposed plans of that one!!!
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- carnaby
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14 Mar 2010 13:43 #8
by carnaby
I've often wondered about that too, however AIR10/4039 gives extensibility as being an amazing 4,000, 4,000, and 2,600 yards. Now that must qualify as an Extra Heavy Bomber station.
Substantial deforestation, and a hamlet, farm or two might be under threat.
Graham
Plan A is always more effective when the problem you are working on understands that Plan B will involve the use of dynamite
Replied by carnaby on topic VHB stations that didn't make it.
how would a VHB station at East Wretham have worked then, I'd love to see the proposed plans of that one!!!
I've often wondered about that too, however AIR10/4039 gives extensibility as being an amazing 4,000, 4,000, and 2,600 yards. Now that must qualify as an Extra Heavy Bomber station.
Substantial deforestation, and a hamlet, farm or two might be under threat.
Graham
Plan A is always more effective when the problem you are working on understands that Plan B will involve the use of dynamite
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14 Mar 2010 14:07 #9
by Paul Francis
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
Replied by Paul Francis on topic VHB stations that didn't make it.
I think the criterior for a VHB station with regards to subsidary runways had changed and evolved over time. They soon realised at Marham, Lakenheath and Sculthorpe that it just was not working, the airfield being way too big with three huge runways and began re-designing airfields with single runways and parallel taxi-tracks. One of the first being Greenham Common
You can tell a builder from an archaeologist by the size of his trowel. Mine is a small one!
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